Hospitals backing ecigs?

[ECS-Mike]

I had a customer last weekend that said she worked at a local hospital and that the hospital not only approved of the use of ecigs for their patients, but purchased them for the patients with a little bit of markup with the customer was charged. She also said that the hospital was working with the insurance company to get them paid for but so far the insurance companies aren't going along with it.

It didnt register that she said the hosptial was ok with and buying them until she left, we were eyeball deep in people.

Has anyone else heard anything like this or is this girl pulling my leg?

[boxhead]

which, where, that would be so totaly great. suppose thou they want to keep it on the down low...

[Elapid]

I have and I think this one factor is going to give the FDA fits. Doctors all over know what the e-cig is and tell their patients that smoke to vape instead. I went to my Doctor for a check up and when he was listening to my lungs, I told him that's those electric cigarettes, he commented how good they sounded. Tell your Doctor that you are using e-cigs rather than smoke, that is something you can do to get even more Doctors to endorse the e-cig for their patients that smoke. The AMA is a strong lobby and so far they are on our side. Keep them on our side by showing them how much better they are. I think this is one of the best things we can do to keep the FDA at bay.

[Reboot]

One of my biggest questions about vaping was whether or not people were seeing dramatic lung health improvement after vaping for an extended period of time. I'm glad to see that they are. I haven't started vaping yet (kit is in the mail) but I am really looking forward to saying goodbye to my smoker's cough and having more lung capacity to run around and play with my kids.

Nice to see some doctors and hospitals getting on board, but that's a little surprising seeing as how there isn't a helluva lot of research around to back up the claims that vaping isn't harmful in some other way.

[IMetalGearVaporXI~]

I am not a doctor ....but I once worked in a hospital cafeteria and find myself recommending ecig to neighbors who smoke, and old buds who I recall smoke. I spread the good word of the vapor since it is the healthier alternative.

[four2109]

If I'm in the hospital and able to vape, someone is bringing me my ecig, juice, charger... If I can have my cell phone, I will have my ecig. I'm not into plumes so I can't imagine it being an issue. If you have been around a hospital lately, the staff isn't in your room that much. I don't see the insurance companies paying for it, but they will probably appreciate me declining the patch.
The more of us that talk to our health care providers, the better. When my doc listened to my lungs, he said "WOW". Nothing more, because they own him. Don't expect a comment from them, just make them aware.

[Þornbjörg]

No idea about their take in regards to patients, however the hospital my family works at has them spreading like wildfire among the staff. Several doctors are using them, nurses, secretaries... Doctors have been recommending to the smoking staff members to switch, however the hospital has already laid out a policy that they are to be treated like anal logs... and staff have to remove themselves to the appropriate designated areas.

[trog100]

at the grass roots level.. especially those who deal directly person to person with chest problems seem to be happy with e cigs..

trog

[Angela]

I was in hospital for a few days last weekend was vaping away with the full blessing of the ward staff nurse (who went away with a card) and I had my doctor laughing out loud about it. He had not heard of them, but found them facinating and was going away to do more research. (I was on a general open ward for a while, and in my own room for a while, and vaped in both locations).

There is also a thread here: Health experts praise Intellicig Electronic Cigarette which says:

Health experts praise Intellicig Electronic Cigarette

A smoking alternative has been introduced to wean pre-op patients off the habit and induce a healthier lifestyle.

Patients undergoing surgery are being advised by healthcare specialists at Bristol’s Avon Obesity Service to use Intellicig electronic cigarettes in the run up to obesity related operations.

By running on a mix of just four ingredients ethyl maltol, glycerol, deionised water and nicotine, patients are being directed towards the healthier smoking alternative.

Intellicig contains no carbon monoxide, tobacco, tar or any of the other 4,800 chemicals found in a typical cigarette, making it safer and more pleasant for the smoker and everyone around them.

Praising the electronic device, Sharon Bates, Bariatric Nurse Specialist at Avon Obesity Service, said that the Intellicig has helped a number of her patients cut down their smoking intake.

Sharon said: “In a period before undergoing surgery, we advise patients to start a special preoperative diet in order to get their bodies ready for surgery, which normally involves reducing their calorie intake and abstinence from alcohol and smoking."

“We understand that this can be quite challenging if attempted in one go which is why we introduced the Intellicig – we want to combat weight loss first, then smoking,” said Sharon.

“Quitting isn’t easy at the best of times so what the Intellicig does is wean patients’ slowly off smoking and makes the diet more feasible and less daunting.”

Avon Obesity Service fully supports the National Campaign to get people more active and lead healthier lifestyles and they believe that replacing conventional cigarettes with Intellicig is a good start.

“This specially designed diet is not only important for patients before undergoing the operation for the purpose of reducing surgical risk, it is also important to ensure the patients have a healthier lifestyle after the surgery.”

Sharon added: “It’s early days but the response has been very positive; one patient who was smoking over 30 ‘conventional’ cigarettes a day now only smokes the Intellicig and a sample has been given to a chest physician who specialises in respiratory medicine.”

Intellicig can currently be purchased online direct at www.intellicig.com and at selected retail outlets.

ENDS

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